Interviews

Syntel: Pioneering Excellence and Innovation in the Evolving AV Industry

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mandar Jadhav, Business Head – AVSI, Syntel.

 

About the company, and opportunities in the AV space

Syntel by Arvind, a subsidiary of Arvind Limited, is a next-generation solution provider with expertise across four key verticals: Enterprise Communication (EC), Network Infrastructure (NI), Audio-Visual System Integration (AVSI), and Security & Surveillance (SS).

Our AVSI segment has established itself as a distinguished market leader, setting benchmarks in innovation, performance, and customer satisfaction. Over the years, we have delivered comprehensive audio-visual solutions to a wide range of industries, including Hospitality, BFSI, IT, Manufacturing, Education, and Healthcare, ensuring innovative and impactful outcomes for our clients.

Along with a robust presence across India, we have also successfully executed international projects in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Our solutions are designed and delivered to meet global standards, including AVIXA certifications, ensuring an exceptional customer experience from our end. Our team comprises of highly skilled engineers and designers, with an average of over 13 years of domain expertise, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge, customised AV solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

 

The current scenario of the AV industry, and its growth. How is Syntel contributing to its overall growth?

The Audio-Visual (AV) industry in India is currently experiencing rapid growth, which is driven by advancements in technology, digital transformation, and the increasing adoption of AV solutions across various sectors. As of 2024, the Indian audio-visual hardware market is valued at approximately USD 14.13 billion, making India the third-largest pro-AV market in the Asia-Pacific region. The global Pro AV market, valued at USD 4.01 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to USD 9.94 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 12.00%.

Syntel is contributing significantly to this growth by leveraging its expertise in IT integration, cloud-based solutions, and digital transformation. Our efforts include providing unified AV-IT solutions that seamlessly integrate AV systems with IT infrastructure, offering customized solutions for various sectors such as education, healthcare, and retail, and incorporating advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and automation for smarter and scalable AV setups.

Not only this, we are also heavily focusing on skill development through structured training programs, promoting sustainability with green AV initiatives, and adhering to global standards to ensure competitive solutions. By combining technology, innovation, and expertise, Syntel is playing a pivotal role in driving the modernisation and expansion of India’s AV industry.

 

What are the challenges in the AV industry, and the ways to overcome the same?

The Indian AV industry, despite its immense growth potential, remains relatively unorganised compared to mature markets, which causes it to pose several challenges. The market is highly fragmented, with numerous small players and local vendors offering inconsistent quality and service. Raising customer awareness about global standards and the long-term value of quality solutions is critical.

Another major challenge in our country is the limited awareness of international standards like AVIXA, leading to inconsistent designs, installations, and integrations. Encouraging adherence to such benchmarks will help address this issue in a great way. The industry also faces a significant skill gap, as many technicians lack formal training in advanced AV technologies. Structured training and certification programs are essential to bridge this gap.

Additionally, the price-driven nature of the market often prioritises low-cost solutions over quality, making it difficult for premium providers to establish value-driven offerings. Educating end-users about the advantages of investing in high-quality AV solutions is vital for the sustainable growth of our sector. By tackling these challenges head-on, the Indian AV industry can enhance its global competitiveness and achieve long-term growth.

 

USPs of the company, what sets the company apart from competitors in terms of technology, quality, or service

Our company stands out in the AV industry due to our exceptional design expertise, technical proficiency, and commitment to quality. Our skilled design team is renowned for creating scalable and cost-effective solutions tailored to the unique requirements of our customers. We also boast a highly experienced and certified installation team that adheres to global standards, conducting thorough self-audits to ensure flawless execution.

In addition to this, our in-house programming team uses state-of-the-art tools to implement precise and efficient on-site solutions. This holistic approach to service delivery has earned us the trust of our customers, many of whom remain with us due to our unmatched quality and reliability.

 

Discuss about the New Products and Solutions: Emphasise how these innovations meet the needs of today’s customers

Our portfolio of innovative products includes interactive displays, unified collaboration tools, LED video walls, and projection mapping solutions, all designed to address the evolving needs of today’s customers. Interactive displays offer an engaging, touch-enabled interface for dynamic presentations, hybrid learning, and real-time collaboration, making them ideal for modern workplaces and educational institutions.

Unified collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms, enable seamless communication and productivity in hybrid work environments. LED video walls, with their high resolution and scalability, are increasingly popular for applications in retail, corporate spaces, and public venues.

Projection mapping provides immersive storytelling and brand engagement opportunities, making it a transformative solution for industries like entertainment, marketing, and education. These cutting-edge solutions represent the future of the AV industry and reaffirm our commitment to staying ahead of the technological curve.

 

Share an example of a high-profile or successful AV project

We have successfully delivered several prestigious projects that highlight our expertise and commitment to quality. One such project is the SBI Gift City in Gandhinagar, a ₹12 Crore endeavour completed in just 60 days. Despite the tight timeline, we maintained the highest standards of quality, deploying advanced audio and display technologies to create a world-class experience. Another notable project is the JSW Chairman’s Board Room, where we upgraded the existing boardroom to address issues such as poor video quality and mediocre sound.

The result was a seamless and professional environment optimised for video conferencing and collaboration. Similarly, the JSW Corporate Training Centre in Navi Mumbai features state-of-the-art technologies like active speaker tracking and AVoIP, enabling efficient broadcasting and participant engagement. These projects underscore our ability to deliver high-quality, customised AV solutions that meet and exceed client expectations.

 

Trends in the AV Industry: Discuss current trends, including innovations in AV technology

As mentioned earlier, the AV industry is experiencing remarkable advancements that are reshaping the way businesses and individuals interact with technology. Trends such as interactive displays, unified collaboration tools, LED video walls, and projection mapping are driving innovation in the sector. Interactive displays enhance user engagement with touch-enabled interfaces, making them ideal for hybrid learning and creative applications. Unified collaboration tools facilitate seamless communication in hybrid work environments, improving productivity and team connectivity. LED video walls, with their scalability and high resolution, are becoming the preferred choice for both retail and large-scale public spaces. Projection mapping, offering immersive visual storytelling, is transforming industries like entertainment and marketing. These trends highlight the dynamic evolution of the AV industry and its potential to revolutionise communication and collaboration.